Facts About Waterbeds

Waterbed Cost - We spend more money in Britain on sleeping pills and other sleep inducing remedies than we do on beds.

Ergonomic Support - There is no other sleep system that provides the total body support, pressure reduced comfort, hygiene and durability of a waterbed.

Waterbed Expense - There are more myths and misconceptions about waterbeds than any other type of bed - especially in Britain. The myths include the misconceptions that they make you seasick, or that they are expensive, or that they puncture easily, or that they are too heavy for British homes. All of these are wrong!

Punctures - All waterbeds have a built in vinyl safety liner so that if you puncture the vinyl water mattress, any spill will be contained in the liner to prevent it from leaking onto the floor. (Leaks are rare. If required, a repair kit specifically designed to mend vinyl waterbed punctures is available from your BWA stockist). Once repaired, the mattress will continue to be fully useable for the rest of its natural life.

Waterbed History - The waterbed has come a long way in 3000 years, from the Persians original idea of sleeping on sun-warmed goatskin waterbags to today's sophisticated floatation systems.

Sleep Disturbance - Approximately 30% of all people suffer some form of sleep disturbance. On a standard bed, most people change position about 60 times a night to relieve uncomfortable pressure points. The total body support of a waterbed minimises this pressure and the need to toss and turn.

Sleeping on a Waterbed - The sensation of sleeping on a waterbed is very soothing, relaxing and conductive to good sleep. Waterbeds can be as stable as conventional beds.

First Patent - The modern waterbed was first patented in 1883 by Dr. William Hooper of Portsmouth, England. To make life more comfortable for his patients he invented a type of floatation bed to ease the pain caused by pressure sores. He specifically wanted to take advantage of the lower surface pressure of waterbeds. The problems he faced were how to contain the water and how to warm it to body temperature. Hooper's original experiment had limited success.

Arthritis/Rheumatism - Medical studies have shown that the equal distribution of body weight, as on a waterbed, benefits everybody, especially those suffering from arthritis and rheumatism.

Waterbed Construction - The solution to constructing a modern waterbed was finally devised in the 1960's by a young Californian student named Charles Hall. He used vinyl for the water mattress and a small external heating unit to warm the water. Mass production has since brought the waterbed into millions of homes around the world.

Softsided/Hardsided - There are basically two types of waterbed. They are known as hardsided and softsided systems. The hardside bed incorporates a rigid frame usually made from either wood or MDF. The vinyl mattress sits inside the frame and is supported by it. The advantages are that some hardsided beds cost less than softsided beds and that the frame becomes an attractive part of the bedroom furniture.The softsided waterbeds have a foam cushioned edge. They frequently look like conventional beds, are very easy to get into and out of.

Waterbed Weight - Weight is rarely, if ever, a problem. Waterbeds will fit on any normal floor as safely in British homes as they do overseas. Most waterbeds have traditionally been designed to contain 9inches (23cm) of water as that depth has proved to offer the best support and comfort. There are new softside designs with fill depths of 5cm, 15cm and 18cm. They offer great stability and varying degrees of flotation comfort.

Backache Relief - At one time or another during our lives, we nearly all suffer some form of back pain.